Sunderland Under-21 coach Graeme Murty has hailed Niall Huggins' attitude after the right-back came through 45 minutes of football against Leeds United on Sunday.
The young Black Cats lost 3-1 to an experienced Leeds side at Elland Road, with only a late goal confirming defeat. Isaac Lihadji cancelled out Mateo Joseph's opener, but Sonny Perkins restored the hosts' lead, with Joseph adding his second in the dying stages.
Murty was pleased with the overall performance, but it was Huggins' return from injury which caught the attention of many supporters. Huggins' season has been plagued by injuries, and he's not been seen at first-team level since a substitute appearance against Fulham in the FA Cup in January.
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However, he came through his 45-minute cameo against Leeds United, and Murty was quick to praise the 22-year-old's approach, with Huggins playing a key role in Lihadji's goal.
“He has been a pleasure to be around," Murty said. "He has had a challenging time, but he has never failed to come in with a smile on his face and treat the games with the respect they deserve.
“This game was a special one for him, I think he thoroughly enjoyed himself and had a hand in the goal which was pleasing for him. We must make sure we are building him up and doing what is right for him. Overall, I’m pleased he got through the 45 minutes, and he can now relax and look forward to his next game.”
Speaking on the game as a whole, Murty was pleased with his side's performance - but identified where they can be more 'ruthless' against a Leeds team who top the division.
“Despite the result, I am really pleased with the way the players approached it," Murty said. "I thought for 90 per cent of the game we were right there with a team top of the table.
“I think with a bit more ruthless nature in the final third the result was there for us, and I thought they showed the difference when they got into that position. I have to shout out Josh [Goodfellow], our analyst, who showed us the positions they score from – cutbacks – and lo and behold, that’s how they’ve caught us with their second goal.
“They had three shots in the first half and scored two, we got into the box numerous times, and we could not fashion an outstanding opportunity. There was a lot of effort and work, but we need to be a lot more clinical when we get ourselves into those positions.
“I was really pleased, I think it shows the distance we have come, we went toe-to-toe with them. Our ability to sustain intensity was better but when we dropped off it looked as though it was going to be a challenge.
“In terms of bravery and getting on the ball, our pattern, and our understanding of how to play through a well organised high pressing team; I was really pleased with them. There are elements you want to get better but the way we went about our business was pleasing. We have come to Elland Road and stepped onto the pitch with belief that we wanted to be there which was really pleasing.”
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